Yayun Du

Dr. Yayun Du is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Vanderbilt University School of Engineering. She holds a Ph.D. in Robotics and System Control (Minor: Solid Mechanics) from UCLA (2022) and was a postdoctoral scholar at Northwestern University's Rogers Group through 2024.

• Current faculty at Vanderbilt University
• Ph.D. from University of California, Los Angeles
• Postdoctoral experience at Northwestern University

Her research integrates bioelectronics and robotics through three core directions: 1) Developing multimodal wearable/implantable sensors for health monitoring, 2) Creating human-in-the-loop interaction systems using brain-computer interfaces, and 3) Applying machine learning to medical environment robotics. She has deployed four sensor types across seven hospitals globally, serving users from neonates to elderly patients.

Dr. Du's recent publications focus on wireless bioelectronic devices (PNAS), sustainable sensor materials (ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering), and agricultural robotics (ICRA, IROS). She serves as Associate Editor for ICRA 2025 and has received two Best Paper Award final nominations at IROS 2021.

• Finalist - Best Paper Award in Agri-Robotics (IROS 2021)
• Finalist - Best Paper Award in Robot Mechanisms and Design (IROS 2021)

As head of the Du Group, she leads interdisciplinary research with applications in both healthcare and agricultural contexts, collaborating with Vanderbilt Institute for Surgery and Engineering (VISE) and clinical partners. Her work emphasizes deployable systems that transition from academic research to real-world implementation in medical and industrial environments.